Slotted clip for use in the reassembly of printer toner cartridges

Abstract

Methods of recycling printer cartridges use special rail-type clips for reassembly of complementary halves of a printer cartridge, the clips comprising cutouts or gaps spaced along the length thereof which accommodate protrusions near the edges being joined. The invention allows for recovering these cartridges and avoiding the cost of discarding a fairly costly machine element while additionally avoiding the processing costs for rendering the cartridge into inert, non-polluting waste.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method of sealing a printer cartridge flange, comprising the steps of: a) providing a printer cartridge having at least first and second portions, wherein each of said portions includes a flange wherein said flanges are configured to be disposed in abutting relation when said at least first and second cartridge portions are mated; wherein each of said flanges includes an outer and an inner surface and a flange edge; wherein at least one of said flanges includes at least one obstructive member on said outer surface; and   b) applying a rail clip to at least one of said outer surfaces, said rail clip comprising a spine and top and bottom gripping members, at least one of said gripping members comprising at least one opening(s) which accommodate at least of said one obstructive member.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1 wherein said rail clip is applied to first and second outer surfaces. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1 wherein said obstructive member is a reinforcing rib. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 1 wherein said obstructive member is a post. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 1 wherein said opening is a hole, cutout, notch, slot or gap. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim 3 wherein said obstructive member further comprises a flared edge. 
     
     
       7. The method of claim 1 wherein said rail clip is a formed metal strip; or an extruded or molded plastic element. 
     
     
       8. The method of claim 1 wherein said rail clip is made from a frangible material. 
     
     
       9. A method of refurbishing a printer cartridge comprising the steps of: a) providing a printer cartridge having matable first and second portions, said first and second portions each including a flange having an inner and outer surface and a flange edge, wherein at least one of said flanges includes at least one obstructive member on said outer surface;   b) installing a seal between said inner surfaces;   c) mating said inner surfaces; and   d) applying a rail clip to at least one of said outer surfaces, said rail clip comprising a spine and top and bottom gripping members, at least one of said gripping members comprising at least one opening(s) which accommodate at least of said one obstructive member.   
     
     
       10. The method of claim 9 wherein said obstructive member is a reinforcing rib. 
     
     
       11. The method of claim 9 wherein said obstructive member is a post. 
     
     
       12. The method of claim 9 wherein said opening is a hole, cutout, notch, slot or gap. 
     
     
       13. The method of claim 9 wherein said obstructive member further comprises a flared edge. 
     
     
       14. The method of claim 9 wherein said rail clip is made from a frangible material. 
     
     
       15. The method of claim 9 wherein said rail clip is a formed metal strip; or an extruded or molded plastic element. 
     
     
       16. An apparatus comprising a rail clip for securing first and second flanges of respective first and second printer cartridge portions wherein each of said flanges has a length and a flange edge, and wherein at least one end of said flanges includes at least one obstructive member extending from said flange, said rail clip having a u-shaped cross-section and comprising first and second gripping members,   said rail clip also having a length approximating the length of at least one of said gripping members to accommodate said at least one obstructive member when said rail clip is disposed over said first and second flange edges so as to secure said first flange to said second flange.   
     
     
       17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said rail clip is a formed metal strip; or an extruded or molded plastic element. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said rail clip is made from a frangible material.